PM orders stern action over attacks on Hindus

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday asked Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to take immediate action against the perpetrators involved in the recent vandalism at Puja Mandaps and arson attack on the houses of the Hindu community.

At another event on the day, she also all to refrain from doing religious excesses as the government wants to ensure peaceful coexistence of people from all religions.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam after the cabinet meeting told journalists that the prime minister instructed the Home Minister to investigate the issues promptly and take action against those who initiated the incidents. The prime minister chaired the regular cabinet meeting, joining remotely from Ganabhaban as her cabinet colleagues were present at the Cabinet Division, reports BSS.

While addressing a discussion of marking Sheikh Russell Day 2021 virtually from Ganabhaban arranged by Awami League at its central office in the afternoon, the prime minister said, “Bangladesh is a country of secular spirit; the people of all religions will perform their religious rituals freely as our constitution has given that directive.”

The prime minister said Islam also advises peaceful performing of the religious rituals of all religions. “Our Prophet (PBUH) advised not to do excesses with religion. We want no one to do excesses with religion,” she added, reports UNB.

The prime minister said the aim of the government is to ensure the coexistence of people from all religions in a peaceful environment.

Hasina said Bangladesh is a small country in terms of its geographical size, but it is a big one if the size of its population is considered. “I want all to have a prosperous and beautiful life and enjoy their basic rights.”

BSS adds: Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam after the cabinet meeting said something might be revealed within very shortest time over the Cumilla incident.

He said the religious and political personalities were simultaneously requested to raise public awareness, not to show reaction to any “small twisting act” of anyone.

He said the holy Islam doesn’t give the authority to any Muslim to go for destructive acts in case of defamation of the religion. It is quite unacceptable to Islam, he added. “…they can stage protests and place demands before the government for exposing the perpetrators to justice and giving them punishment,” he said.

In case of defamation of the Holy Quran, he said, the Quran doesn’t give anyone the authority to destroy anything of other religion.

The country saw a number of sectarian attacks during and after the just concluded Durga Puja, following an alleged desecration of the Holy

Quran at a puja mandap in Cumilla on October 13 prompting the government to deploy paramilitary forces in 22 districts to fend off further trouble.

Protests flared up in Dhaka as students from minority communities took to the streets on Monday amid continued sectarian attacks at places across the country.

The ruling Awami League on Tuesday also oragnised nationwide rallies with a call to uphold communal harmony.